In his speech today Netanyahu included a quote from Deuteronomy 31. Netanyahu reminded those assembled of Moses' image in the gallery, "“Facing me right up there in the gallery, overlooking all of us … is the image of Moses. Moses led our people from slavery to the gates of the Promised Land.” He then quoted Moses' words "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them".

The "them" that Moses was referring to where the current occupants of the land of Canaan. Moses and Yahweh were telling the Israelites to not only take the land from them but to utterly destroy them.

In other words, Israel wiped the inhabitants of Canaan "off the face of the earth". Sounds a lot like what the Iranians said should happen to Israel. Were the Iranians really calling for the slaughter of all Israelis? Perhaps not: www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checke...No matter what the Iranians meant by "wiping Israel off the map" it still is a hideous statement.

I do think it is ironic that Netanyahu used that particular quote "from Moses" encouraging the Israelites to commit genocide. How many people listening to the speech knew the context of Moses' words? How many who agree with Netanyahu would get the irony?

I like Netanyahu, and I strongly support Israel. OTOH, I'd like to see Israel and the other middle east countries talk more. And it would be helpful if our idiots in Washington would focus a lot more on diplomacy than war with everyone. Frequently, it seems we're the number one trouble makers over there.

Robert J. McElwain

"The strongest reason for people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." (Supposedly)Thomas Jefferson

"He who is not angry when there is just cause for anger is immoral."St. Thomas Aquinas

One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors. Plato